Award for hard-working and environmental Clavering pupils

Clavering Primary School pupils who completed the John Muir Award, an environmental award scheme.

Published:11:00Thursday 05 June 2014

HARD-WORKING pupils had their dedication rewarded as they gained a prestigious environmental award.

Twenty-nine “determined and enthusiastic” youngsters from Clavering Primary School, in Hartlepool, were presented with their John Muir awards at a presentation evening held at the school.

The school organised the celebration event so the deserving young recipients could showcase their achievements with invited friends and family members.

The John Muir Award is an environmental award scheme focused on wild places and encourages youngsters to enjoy the natural environment in a spirit of fun and adventure.

The school’s deputy headteacher Neil McAvoy, who holds the highest level of the John Muir Award and was master of ceremonies at the celebration event, said: “This set of children have all approached the four challenges which are at the heart of the John Muir Award with determination and enthusiasm throughout the academic year.

“Whatever the weather has thrown at them, they have completed their challenges to an excellent standard and their feedback has shown what a positive affect our John Muir Award programme has on our pupils.

“We are incredibly proud of them, as are their families.”

Guest of honour at the event was Paul Godwin, senior instructor from Carlton Outdoor Education Centre.

Outdoor learning at the primary school, in Clavering Road, begins in Year 3 and culminates with children having the opportunity to complete their John Muir Award, which includes a week in the North Yorkshire Moors, in Year 6.

Headteacher Helen O’Brien said: “During our recent Ofsted inspection, the inspectors commented on how our pupils’ spiritual, moral, social and cultural development is a strength of the school and is promoted very well through an impressive range of activities.